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Pub Of The Month - July 2026 with Tris39
on the Pub Forum
Detail Pages
Canalside Cafe, Birmingham
Birmingham
B1 2JT
Reviews (Current Rating Average: 7 of 10) see review guidelines
Strongers . left this review about Canalside Cafe
Canalside Cafe is a quirky looking bar in a long and narrow building with outside seating along its length that becomes a major draw for canal boat spotting on a sunny afternoon. Inside, a serving counter across the rear serves a snug bar to the left of the entrance and the main bar to the right. The snug bar has a table with seating and a small barrel that has been repurposed as a table. On the left-hand wall is a brick fireplace with an electric heater in the guise of a burner. On the counter is a hand pump badged with St Austell’s Proper job which is in addition to Skinners Cornice Knocker that was available from the two hand pumps found alongside some standard and premium keg in the main bar area to the right. In here the serving counter faces benches across the front windows, the right-hand side of the counter is a glass case where bottles of wine and cakes are displayed. The service was ok, but the music was very slow and energy sapping, so after a short stay in the snug I was glad to be on my way.
On 22nd June 2026
- rating: 6
[User has posted 6782 recommendations about 6744 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Ian Mapp left this review about Canalside Cafe
Quite a nice narrow bar, with some outside seating (my seat very wonky). Good place to people watch and tut under your breath at aggressive bike riders going to fast on the towpath.
Beerwise, there was one Sharps cask on, which I didnt notice until I had ordered a Staropramen. Served in correct chalice. They do toasties and pizzas.
Lovely spot.
On 7th October 2024
- rating: 6
[User has posted 1882 recommendations about 1844 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Rob Hunter left this review about Canalside Cafe
Visited in June. Sharps Solar Wave was the sole cask ale, hidden slightly on the rather crowded bar.
A pleasant setting with outside seating canal side, but nothing to get excited about on the ale front.
On 9th August 2024
- rating: 6
[User has posted 914 recommendations about 707 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Oggwyn Great left this review about Canalside Cafe
As noted this is a small slightly quirky place on the canal side , very busy on my sunny saturday afternoon visit , 3 real ales on Davenports Bitter , Sadlers Peaky Blinders and a decent Mellow Yellow , 2 ciders from westons and Black Rat . Toilets are ancient looking walk in and back out variety .
A nice enough place to spend a pleasant hour .
On 8th May 2016
- no rating submitted
[User has posted 797 recommendations about 683 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Just a quick pint, then I'm off left this review about Canalside Cafe
A nice spot to sit outside and watch the narrow boats chug by on a sunny afternoon. Compact bar to left of entrance, with a slightly longer café area on the other side (where it really is like buying a pint inside an 'olde worlde tea shoppe' - a slightly disconcerting experience). Five handpumps, offering three real ales - Thin Ice and Worcester Sorcerer (£3.40, and slightly cloudy) from Sadler's plus Hobgoblin - together with two draught ciders on this visit.
On 11th April 2015
- rating: 7
[User has posted 9210 recommendations about 9210 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
General Staal left this review about Canalside Cafe
This pub has had an issue with its beer temperature. However, I popped in yesterday and also one week ago on very warm days. My Mellow Yellow was delicious. Fantastic sitting out in the sunshine watching the world drift past on the canal. Marvellous afternoon.
On 10th June 2013
- no rating submitted
[User has posted 142 recommendations about 125 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Bucking Fastard left this review about Canalside Cafe
Situated in the former toll office and lock keepers cottage ,this place is a world away from the trendy bars of the Broad Street/Mailbox area a few hundred yards away.It has the feel of a quaint tea shop,with the small counter in front of the entrance piled high with cakes and biscuits.The interior is narrow with tables along either wall,but the views through the windows are over the former stop lock through which there is a constant stream of boating traffic,good news for gongoozlers.
Most customers to the cafe will be eating from a varied menu including veggie options,but there are five handpumps,two well hidden and unused,with the selection on my trip from Moorhouse Black Cat,Skinners Betty Stogs and an organic cider.There was a barrel of scrumpy cider on the bar ,together with a limited range of spirits.There is an issue with beer temperature and I note that this is no longer GBG listed,but my beer was fine all the same.
It can get a little crowded inside but in fine weather the outside tables ,which are in a bit of a suntrap,may tempt you into quite a long stay given the interesting location and the real ale options.
On 18th May 2012
- rating: 7
[User has posted 3211 recommendations about 3211 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Real Ale Ray left this review about Canalside Cafe
As you can see I have given a good rating here as they do serve some interesting ales and are well kept. This was my second visit here and unless you can sit outside, which on this occasion I could, I wouldn't bother. To me the interior is far too small and narrow for me. As far as the staff goes no wonder you can't get a smile out of them, working in a shoe box. Four ales on, I went for the Sadlers JPA and Holdens bitter.
On 1st November 2011
- rating: 7
[User has posted 3763 recommendations about 3763 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Gill Smith left this review about Canalside Cafe
Really liked this place. Quirky is the right word, and not a lot of seating. Beer choice was one of the best we found with 4 available, 2 from the popular Purity range (nearly everywhere we went had one or the other on) Kelham Island Are you lonesome tonight, and Ma Pardoes Entire. There was also a cider on. Very relaxed atmosphere with gents sitting at the table reading papers after finishing their meals. If I lived in one of the flats around the canal I would be very happpy to call this one my local. Deserves 2011 Good Beer Guide entry.
On 21st October 2010
- rating: 8
[User has posted 1339 recommendations about 1222 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Danny O'Revey left this review about Canalside Cafe
Quirky is the right word for this very small canalside building, very close to the Tap & Spile.
Its a small cottage on Gas Street Basin, between the Mailbox and Brindley Place/Broad Street. Its lovely inside, with curios all around but well presented. You are straight at the bar through the door and theres a table before half of the old uinterior wall with an excellent coal effect, warming fire heating both sides, the far area being a small room, leading to the courtyard. There is a vegetarian menu available and 3 unusual well kept real ales, including Kelham Island at the time of my visit. There is a nice tree growing in the courtyard.
The staff sounded Eastern European, but they were well aware of the drinks range.
Well worth a visit (unless you're in a big party!)
REVISIT 9th September 2010 - Beer quality not quite as good - a bit warm
On 10th September 2010
- rating: 9
[User has posted 1616 recommendations about 1593 pubs]